Posted on 08 Aug, 2008 -
7 Worst Foods You Can Eat
The 7 Worst Foods - and 7 Super Foods to choose
* What a collared dove attack taught me about my attitude to prevention
* And why my crisps habit has got to go
I don’t want the same thing to happen to me as has happened to my brassicas.
I don’t mean literally pecked to near death by the collared doves and pigeons. But rather suffer the fate of an early death that could have been avoided if only I’d heeded good advice and warning.
Let me explain.
A few months ago when I was given some summer cabbage plants by Suzie at school, she told me to cover them in netting when I put them out otherwise the collared doves would peck them. Somehow believing that my plants would be immune - and not having the time or money to spend on netting anyway - the best protection I managed to rustle up was a makeshift tent made out of fleece that barely covered a third of them.
And low and behold what happened? it is only those lucky covered third that were not pecked to within a spindly yellowing leaf of their lives that are not only surviving but thriving.
I want to be part of the lucky third that survive and thrive too!
A simple sheet of fleece - a preventative measure heeded - has made the difference between life and death for my cabbages. This event really brought home to me how we are so prone to avoiding advice on preventative measures - yet mortified when bad things actually happen. And it really made me think about what preventative measures I’m taking for MY HEALTH.
The first startling thing I discovered was that I LOVE lots of the foods listed on a website as the World’s Worst Foods. I give you a list of them here below with some guilt as I know there is one at least that I am still eating in bucketloads (but will act on soon I promise):
7 of the WORST foods in the world
Salt. Because it dehydrates you, causes electrolyte imbalance, poor circulatory health and can seriously affect your blood pressure. And I have also just read that it can cause headaches.
Cream and butter. Because of the high fat content - and saturated fat at that. Go easy on these, especially if you tend to store excess fat on your body easily.
Palm Oil. Often labelled merely as a ‘vegetable oil’ on food labels, this food is actually an unhealthy saturated fat. Be wary of oils or foods cooked in foods where the origin of the vegetable oil is not stated. Olive oil or grapeseed oil are better.
Sugar. Too much sugar can tip your body over into a disaster zone causing mineral deficiencies, suppression of the immune system, cholesterol, anxiety, autoimmune disease, obesity and premature ageing to name but a few. Watch out for sugar in sweet or fizzy drinks, low fat yoghurts and other supposedly ‘diet’ foods. Also avoid sweeteners if you can because I’ve read some really scary things about them too.
White Flour. If you’re still eating a lot of white bread and white pasta then take a note that white flour is almost as bad as sugar! Brown breads and pastas are far richer in nutrients and fiber to keep you healthy instead of sick. Eat in more moderation! Processed potato, apparently, also bad so eat those fresh too.
Crisps. (Oh no. The second of my own personal vices.) As if the high salt content wasn’t bad enough, they also contain not only processed potato but are often cooked in palm oil as well. If you’re going to eat them occasionally, better to make sure they’re not cooked in palm oil and try the low salt versions if you can bare the heartache. (Sorry, that’s me talking not the text books there at the end.)
Sausages. (Damn, that makes three.) Your average sausage is packed with saturated fat, white flour, salt and preservatives before we even go into the more tantalising details. The article I read even said they might be “the most dangerous of the worlds worst foods”! Stick to pure meat sausages in moderation and you’ll probably be alright.
7 of the BEST foods in the world
As I am really not qualified to make a shortlist of the very best foods you can eat, I have just made a list here of the seven that sounded both the best for your health and the easiest to incorporate into your diet. I’ve also tried to incorporate seven that give you a range of different nutrients and benefits for optimum health protection and preventative power. This list, of course, is a long way from exhaustive.
Apples. A compound in apples called procyanidin B-2 has been found to play a key role in inhibiting age-related problems, preventing wrinkles and promoting hair growth. May protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Numerous studies have also shown that eating apples can help prevent many different kinds of cancer, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and weight gain!
Oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. Eating oily fish as little as once a week could lower your risk of Alzheimer’s by a staggering 60 per cent. Also brilliant for keeping your heart healthy and protecting you from depression.
Broccoli (and brussel sprouts and kale). Eat more broccoli for better immunity, digestion, mood, skin and liver function to mention a few.
Pulses. Pulses are a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, vitamin-rich, low glycemic index and high in protein and fibre. Also great for your all-important B Vitamins that you may be lacking. Soy beans in particular are great for anti-cancer, menopause and PMS and can be consumed through soya milk or Miso soup powder drink.
Pumpkin seeds. These tasty little seeds can help protect you against prostate problems, osteoporosis and cancer. Anti-inflammatory and immune boosting and also effective against depression. Zinc and Omega-3…
Watercress. Research suggests that watercress has strong anti-cancer power. I love it in salads and in watercress soup.
Garlic. Garlic contains around 200 biologically active compounds - many of which play a role in preventing diseases including cancer and heart disease.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
All the best and happy eating
